T. Vandamme MD, PhD

ESMO NET (Neuroendocrine Tumours) Report 2024: Two breakthrough studies changing the future treatment algorithm of NET

SUMMARY

During the ESMO Conference in Barcelona in 2024, two important phase 3 studies in the field of neuro-endocrine tumours (NET) that were presented earlier this year were updated and also published subsequently. The NETTER-2 trial is shifting [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) to the first-line treatment setting of patients with advanced, well-differentiated grade 2 and grade 3 gastro-enteropancreatic (GEP) NET; the CABINET trial is adding cabozantinib as targeted systemic therapy for previously treated, progressive advanced extrapancreatic and pancreatic NET.

In this report, these two practice-changing NET trials will be discussed in depth, with comments on the clinical relevance and the outstanding questions.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2025;19(2):78–82)

Jaundice in a patient with renal cell carcinoma: Stauffer syndrome or not?

SUMMARY

Jaundice in a patient with renal cell carcinoma is most frequently caused by liver metastasis and has a poor prognosis. However, multiple paraneoplastic phenomena are described in renal cell carcinoma, including a Stauffer syndrome variant with jaundice. In this case report we present the case of a woman in her 80s with jaundice in a newly diagnosed renal cell carcinoma. Hepatic metastasis was ruled out, and the differential diagnosis with the Stauffer syndrome, variant, vanishing bile duct syndrome, and hepatotoxicity was made. Due to the rapid fatal ending, it was not possible to evaluate the reversibility of the hepatic dysfunction after nephrectomy.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2025;19(1): 36–39)

Highlights of the 21^st annual European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) Conference

SUMMARY

During the ENETS Conference, the NETTER-2 trial was again in the spotlight and is shifting [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE PRRT to the first-line treatment setting of patients with advanced, well-differentiated grade 2 and grade 3 gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NET). Nuclear medicine treatment for NET is now intensively focusing on alpha-emitting peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Adding immunotherapy to angiogenesis inhibition for NET is again a disappointing story, and all eyes are now set on the CAR T-cell technology to stimulate anti-tumour immune responses. Delta-like ligand 3 is an inhibitory Notch ligand selectively and highly expressed on the cell surface of small cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine carcinoma, and appears to be a promising target for bispecific T-cell engager therapy. In this report, the most important headlines will be discussed, with comments on the clinical relevance of the different studies.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2024;18(4):164–75)

Highlights in gastrointestinal cancers

SUMMARY

The European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) annual meeting, which took place in Madrid, featured important clinical updates in cancer treatment and research. This article summarises the takeaways for the gastrointestinal oncology community.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2023;17(8):319–22)

Highlights from the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society congress

SUMMARY

The 2023 edition of the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) congress was held in Vienna between 22^nd and 24^th March. This article aims to provide an overview of the most remarkable findings and insights presented during this congress.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(4):139–49)

Highlights in gastrointestinal cancer

The European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 was held in Paris, France, between the 9^th and 13^th of September 2022. The main goal of this overview is to highlight the most relevant findings in the field of digestive oncology that could impact daily clinical practice. First, the upper gastrointestinal tract tumours will be discussed, followed by an overview of the congress highlights related to cancers of the lower gastrointestinal tract.

(Belg J Med Oncol 2022;16(8):412–20)

Highlights of the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society Congress

SUMMARY

The first World NET Forum brought together leading scientists in the neuroendocrine tumour (NET) field to present their cutting-edge research to inspire other scientists and clinicians. This meeting focused mainly on models in NET research, NET tumour biology, as well as therapeutic and diagnostic advances. This article discusses some of the most relevant and promising studies.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2022;16(6):310–22)